NEW ROLAND RD-2000 STAGE PIANO - NAMM 2017

[raomcz]

News from Roland,

https://www.roland.com/global/products/rd-2000/



- Next-generation RD stage piano with two independent sound engines and modern controller features
- Dedicated acoustic piano sound engine...
- Second SuperNATURAL-based sound engine with 128-voice polyphony for electric pianos and additional sounds...
- Eight knobs with LED status indicators and nine sliders for real-time control of sounds and effects
- Eight fully assignable zones for combining internal sounds and external sources (including software instruments)
- Classic electric pianos on board, including Roland’s legendary RD-1000 and MKS-20
- Recreations of vintage analog effects, including the BOSS CE-1 Chorus, Roland Dimension D, and more
- Over 1100 non-piano sounds, including organs, strings, brass, synths, and many others
- Two wave expansion slots for loading additional sounds from Roland’s Axial website, including sounds from previous RD-series pianos
- 100 Scene memories for saving and recalling setups with one touch
- Traditional Roland pitch/mod lever and two assignable wheel controllers
- 24-bit/192 kHz USB audio/MIDI interface
- XLR Main Outs;

[cEgws]

Weight: 47 lbs 14 oz (21.7 kg)

[spradders]

Will be interesting to hear it - I used to be a big fan of the RD700 series. Looks really big still, although they seem to have shaved a few kg off the weight. The organs were the most disappointing aspect of the old rd series, for me.

[Rusty Mike]

I own an RD-800 in my home studio. I love the way it plays and sounds, and navigation is pretty easy, but it will never leave the house. It's just way too heavy and I'm spoiled by my Electro 3HP and Stage 2EX 76 HP.

The RD-2000 looks like a Kurzweil Forte (and Nord Stage) competitor - sort of a stage piano on steroids. It has a very competitive price.

The sounds will be very subjective, as there are lovers and haters for all of these instruments. I think the UI will be a factor as well.

One more point regarding the UI - My sax player owns the RD-700GX, and I find the RD-800 much easier to navigate and edit. It looks like the display on the RD-2000 is smaller than the RD-800, but more of the controls seem "live", so a little less menu diving.

[Gustavo]

What seems like the best thing on it is that it supposedly has the V-Piano engine and the Supernatural engine. I recently played a V-Piano and it is definitely the best digital piano that emulates acoustic pianos. Though to be honest, I never liked the RD-800 or the RD-700 because of their keybed, something always felt strange to me.

Still, in my opinion the best stage piano remains the Nord Stage series

[KyleM]

i listened to a demo of the Roland 2000 and I didn't think the piano sound wasn't very good. It sounded artificial, but the way Roland's piano sounds are, they cut through a bands mix. I bet the action is great though, I have a Juno DS88 and the action and the ivory feel is really nice.

[orcoaffamato]

I was going to buy a midi controller with 88 keys and an Integra 7, so I'm glad I waited... I will have both a controller with 8 zones and 1000+ Roland sounds into this new beast!

[monsterjazzlicks]

Hi,

I thought the Roland RD700 GX was totally awful in every respect!

All ORGANS on the RD series have sounded dreadful to me!

And the RD's always seemed to be too bulky to be carrying around on one-nighters!

But I can not comment as yet on this new release.

Ta,

Paul

[magpie85]

I thought the Roland RD700 GX was totally awful in every respect!

Wow - that is a sweeping statement! I think the piano action on it is still one of the best piano actions I have found on a keyboard. It has served me well and I noticed it on a lot of pro stages for a while. It definitely had/has its users.

All ORGANS on the RD series have sounded dreadful to me!

It clearly wasn't built primarily as an organ emulator so that shouldn't be too much of a surprise. I've found them serviceable over the years, but was much happier once I'd bought my electro 3. As I have a mono-timbral Nord I find the RD 700 to have some excellent pads that I layer with the pianos. The piano sounds are decent although I prefer to play the nord sounds via midi as the keybed action is really where the RD 700GX excels. I've been very happy with the £1500 I spent on it.

And the RD's always seemed to be too bulky to be carrying around on one-nighters!

This I can agree with! I'm much happier taking my electro with me rather than having to take the RD 700.

I can honestly say that I will keep my RD 700GX until I replace it with a a piano and a Nord stage model.

I expect the RD 2000 will offer a strong piano sound with great keybed action, plus many many useable pad and string sounds. It will probably be better served as a studio instrument or an instrument that remains in one location as it is so heavy but it will be a great machine for those willing to spend the time to program it before going to a live setting.